California Vehicle Code – Legal Analysis of Crimes by Section Number

The California Vehicle Code (often abbreviated VC or CVC) is the set of statutes that regulate the operation, registration and ownership of motor vehicles as well as bicycles and other devices used to move people, animals and goods along the state’s roadways. The Vehicle Code codifies most of the laws as to traffic infractions and criminal offenses involving vehicles, including DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license.

Below, we list most of the major infractions and driving-related crimes. Click on a link for in-depth legal analysis.

Vehicle Code 20 VC | False Statements to the DMV or CHP

Vehicle Code 31 VC | Providing False Information to a Peace or Police Officer

Vehicle Code 2800 CVC | Disobeying a Police Officer

Vehicle Code 2800.1 VC | Evading a Peace or Police Officer

Vehicle Code 2800.2  VC | Felony Reckless Evading

Vehicle Code 2800.3 VC | Evading an Officer Causing Injury or Death

Vehicle Code 2800.4 VC | Evading an Officer by Driving in Opposite Direction of Traffic

Vehicle Code 4000a1 | Vehicle Registration Requirements

Vehicle Code 4461 VC | Illegal Use of Disabled Parking Placards

Vehicle Code 4462 VC | Evidence of Registration

Vehicle Code 4462.5 VC | Misuse of Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Code 4463 VC | Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration Stickers

Vehicle Code 4463(b) and (c) VC | Forgery or Falsification of Disability Placards

Vehicle Code 5200 VC | License Plate Display Requirements

Vehicle Code 5201 CVC | Failure to Attach or Display a License Plate

Vehicle Code 5204 CVC | Failure to Attach Registration Tabs

Vehicle Code 10501 VC | False Reports of Auto Theft

Vehicle Code 10750 VC | Altering, Changing or Destroying a VIN

Vehicle Code 10752 VC | Illegal Possession or Sale of a VIN

Vehicle Code 10801 VC | Operating a Chop Shop

Vehicle Code 10802 VC | Tampering With a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Vehicle Code 10803 VC | Buying or Possessing Vehicles with Altered VIN Numbers

Vehicle Code 10851 VC | Unlawful Taking or Driving of a Vehicle

Vehicle Code 10852 VC | Tampering with a Motor Vehicle

Vehicle Code 10853 VC | Malicious Mischief to a Vehicle

Vehicle Code 12500 VC |  Driving without a License

Vehicle Code 12951 VC | Failure to Present a Driver’s License

Vehicle Code 13004 VC | Unlawful Use of ID Cards

Vehicle Code 13004.1 VC | Possession or Manufacture of Counterfeit ID Cards

Vehicle Code 13202.5 VC | Loss of Drivers License for Minors Convicted of Crimes

Vehicle Code 13210 CVC | Road Rage License Suspension

Vehicle Code 13365.2 VC | Drivers License Suspension After a Hold

Vehicle Code 14601 (a) VC | Driving on a Suspended License

Vehicle Code 14601.2 VC | Driving on a License Suspended Because of DUI

Vehicle Code 14601.3 VC | Habitual Traffic Offenders

Vehicle Code 14601.4 VC | Driving on a Suspended License Causing Injury

Vehicle Code 14601.5 VC | Driving on a License Suspended from DUI Refusal or Excess BAC

Vehicle Code 14603 VC | Terms and Conditions of Restricted Licenses

Vehicle Code 14610 VC | Unlawful Use of a Drivers License

Vehicle Code 16028(a) VC | Proof of Financial Responsibility

Vehicle Code 17707 VC | Parent Liability for Minor’s Accidents

Vehicle Code 20001 (a) VC | Felony Hit & Run

Vehicle Code 20002 (a) VC | Misdemeanor Hit & Run

Vehicle Code 21200 VC | Bicycle Rider Laws

Vehicle Code 21200.5 VC | Cycling Under the Influence

Vehicle Code 21209 VC | Driving on a Bike Lane

Vehicle Code 21453 VC | Red Light Violations

Vehicle Code 21460 VC | Crossing Double Parallel Lines

Vehicle Code 21461a VC | Duty to Obey Traffic Signs

Vehicle Code 21464 VC | Defacing or Interfering with a Traffic Control Device

Vehicle Code 21650 CVC | Right-Hand Lane Violation

Vehicle Code 21651 (a) VC | Crossing a Divided Highway

Vehicle Code 21651 (b) VC | Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

Vehicle Code 21654 CVC | Driving Too Slowly Not on the Right

Vehicle Code 21655.5 VC | Carpool Violations

Vehicle Code 21658 CVC | Lane Straddling

Vehicle Code 21659 VC | Unsafe Driving on a Three-lane Highway

Vehicle Code 21663 VC | Driving on the Sidewalk

Vehicle Code 21702 VC | Driving Time Limits for Bus & Truck Drivers

Vehicle Code 21703 VC | Tailgating (Following too Closely)

Vehicle Code 21709 VC | Driving Through a Safety Zone

Vehicle Code 21710 CVC | Coasting in Neutral

Vehicle Code 21712 VC | Unlawful Riding in a Vehicle 

Vehicle Code 21750 VC | Unsafe Passing

Vehicle Code 21751 VC | Passing Without Sufficient Clearance

Vehicle Code 21755 CVC | Unsafe Passing on the Right

Vehicle Code 21800 – 21804 VC | Failure to Yield

Vehicle Code 21801 CVC | Failure to Yield on a Left or U-Turn

Vehicle Code 21804 VC | Entering a Highway from an Alley or Driveway

Vehicle Code 21806 VC | Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle

Vehicle Code 21950 VC | Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian

Vehicle Code 21954 CVC | Pedestrians Outside Crosswalks

Vehicle Code 21955 VC | Jaywalking

Vehicle Code 22100 VC | Right and Left-Hand Turns

Vehicle Code 22100.5 VC | Illegal U-Turns

Vehicle Code 22102 CVC | Illegal U-turn in Business District

Vehicle Code 22108 VC | Failure to Signal

Vehicle Code 22109 | Suddenly Stopping Without Signaling

Vehicle Code 22106 CVC | Unsafe Starting or Backing

Vehicle Code 22107 VC | Unsafe Lane Changes

Vehicle Code 22348b VC | Driving Over 100 MPH on the Freeway

Vehicle Code 22349 a VC | Speeding Over 65 Miles Per Hour

Vehicle Code 22349 b VC | Speeding Over 55 Miles Per Hour

Vehicle Code 22350 VC | Basic Speeding Law

Vehicle Code 22354 VC | Excessive Speed on Freeway

Vehicle Code 22356 VC | Speeding Over 70 MPH

Vehicle Code 22362 VC | Speeding in a Construction Zone

Vehicle Code 22400 VC | Driving too Slowly

Vehicle Code 22405 VC | Speeding on a Bridge or Tunnel

Vehicle Code 22406 VC | Trucks Speeding Over 55 MPH

Vehicle Code 22454 VC | Illegal Passing of School Buses

Vehicle Code 22450 VC | Running a Stop Sign

Vehicle Code 22500 CVC | Improper Parking, Stopping or Standing

Vehicle Code 22651 | Circumstances in which removal permitted (Impoundment)

Vehicle Code 23103 VC | Reckless Driving

Vehicle Code 23104 VC | Reckless Driving Causing Injury

Vehicle Code 23105 VC | Reckless Driving Causing Serious Injury

Vehicle Code 23109(a) VC | Engaging in a Speed Contest

Vehicle Code 23110 VC | Throwing Objects at a Motor Vehicle

Vehicle Code 23123 & 23123.5 VC | Driving with Cell Phone Tickets

Vehicle Code 23124 VC | Minors Driving with Cell Phone Tickets

Vehicle Code 23127 VC | Unauthorized Driving on Trails or Paths 

Vehicle Code 23136 VC | Underage DUI

Vehicle Code 23140 VC | Under 21 DUI

Vehicle Code 23152 (a) VC | Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Vehicle Code 23152 (b) VC | Driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater

Vehicle Code 23152 (c) VC | Driving While Addicted to a Drug

Vehicle Code 23152 (d) VC | DUI & Commercial Drivers License

Vehicle Code 23152 (e) VC | DUI by Taxi, Limo or Ride-Sharing Drivers

Vehicle Code 23152 (f) VC | Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Vehicle Code 23152(g) VC | Driving Under the Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol

Vehicle Code 23153 VC | DUI with Injury

Vehicle Code 23221 VC | Drinking Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle

Vehicle Code 23222(b) VC | Possession of Marijuana While Driving

Vehicle Code 23224 VC | Possession of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle by a Person Under 21

Vehicle Coe 23247(e) VC – Ignition Interlock Device Violations

Vehicle Code 23540 VC | Second DUI Within 10 Years

Vehicle Code 23550 VC | 4th-Time DUI

Vehicle Code 23572 VC | DUI & Minor Passenger Under 14

Vehicle Code 23573 & 23575 VC | Ignition Interlock Devices

Vehicle Code 23578 | Additional DUI Penalty for High BAC or Refusal

Vehicle Code 23582 VC | DUI & Additional Penalty for Speeding and Reckless Driving

Vehicle Code 23612 VC | Blood or Breath Test Requirement After DUI Arrest

Vehicle Code 24002 VC | Operating an Unsafe or Unlawfully Equipped Vehicle

Vehicle Code 24250 VC | Driving in Darkness Without Headlights

Vehicle Code 24409 VC | Failure to Dim High Beams

Vehicle Code 26708 VC | Window Tinting

Vehicle Code 27315 VC | Seatbelt Laws

Vehicle Code 27360 VC | Child Restraint System Requirements

Vehicle Code 27400 VC | Driving with Headsets or Earphones

Vehicle Code 27465b CVC | Bald Tire Violation

Vehicle Code 27803 VC | Riding a Motorcycle Without a Helmet

Vehicle Code 34506 VC | Failure to Comply with CHP Rules by a Commercial Vehicle

Vehicle Code 35400 CVC | Vehicle Excessive Length

Vehicle Code 35551 VC | Overweight Vehicles

Vehicle Code 38300 CVC | Disobeying a Sign, Signal or Traffic Control Device

Vehicle Code 40302 | Arrests for Traffic Violations

Vehicle Code 40508 VC | Failure to Appear

Vehicle Code 40509.5 VC | Hold on Drivers License

Vehicle Code 40515 VC | Failure to Appear on Infractions

Vehicle Code 40801 VC | Speed Traps

Vehicle Code 42002.1 VC | Failure to Submit to Inspection

Vehicle Code 42002.5 VC | Tampering with the Vehicle of a Disabled Person

California Vehicle Code Blog Posts:

Can a driver’s license be suspended in California for unpaid tickets?

No. Per Assembly Bill 103, the state cannot suspend a person’s driver’s license for unpaid traffic tickets. Note, however, that the DMV can suspend a person’s license for failing to show up in court for a ticket. Vehicle Code 40509.5 VC is the California statute that allows the state to put a hold on a ...

California Driving Law – the Difference between Driving without a License and Driving without a License in Your Possession

Although this difference seems obvious, people often mistake the non-criminal infraction of driving without a license in one’s possession for the more serious misdemeanor offense of driving without a valid license. California Vehicle Code 12951 penalizes driving without a license in your possession. As previously stated, this is a non-criminal infraction that prosecutors must dismiss ...

Does Proposition 47 apply to the crime of Vehicle Code 10851 joyriding?

At the moment, California courts haven’t yet made up their minds about the answer to this question. Proposition 47, passed by California voters in 2014, provided that theft of property worth less than nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) would be a California misdemeanor for most defendants. (Prior to Prop 47’s passage, all theft of motor ...

The Difference Between an Infraction and a Misdemeanor in California

Infractions and misdemeanors are both offenses in the California criminal justice system. The main difference between the two is in their severity and in how they get punished. Infractions are less serious offenses than misdemeanors. They are punishable by a maximum fine of $250. Unlike misdemeanors, they do not subject an offender to incarceration. Common examples ...

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